Matthew Kessel scored his first goal of the season in Saturday night’s 3–2 victory over the Calgary Flames — and just the second of his NHL career. The 24-year-old blueliner jumped into the rush midway through the second period, firing a low wrist shot past Dustin Wolf to give the Blues a 2–0 lead. It was a confident moment from a player who’s quietly beginning to carve out a defined role on the St. Louis blue line.
Defenseman but scores like a forward. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/gqPmBQap3L
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) November 12, 2025
Kessel, a 2020 fifth-round pick by the Blues, first broke into the NHL in 2023–24, appearing in 39 games and recording one goal and seven points while averaging 16:48 of ice time. His follow-up campaign in 2024–25 was a bit more uneven, appearing in just 29 contests and averaged 13:08 per game with three assists and a -3 rating.
Now in 2025–26, Kessel seems to be finding his rhythm again. Through eight games, he has one goal, a +2 rating, and is averaging 10:38 of ice time, including an average of 11:41 over his last five contests. Though that’s the lowest mark among all Blues defensemen, it’s worth noting that Kessel is the only one who has yet to play a single second on either special teams unit. His role has been strictly five-on-five, and within those minutes, he’s done exactly what head coach Jim Montgomery has asked of him: play steady, low-risk hockey.
Meanwhile, fellow depth defenders Logan Mailloux and Tyler Tucker have been used in slightly larger roles, averaging 12:33 and 12:29 of ice time respectively. Mailloux, currently with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, is focusing on refining his defensive game, which has opened the door for Kessel to solidify his spot in St. Louis.
Kessel’s keeping things simple, moving pucks efficiently, and giving the Blues dependable minutes on the third pair.
At six-foot-three and over 200 pounds, Kessel brings a strong defensive presence that complements his quiet confidence with the puck. His game doesn’t generate headlines, but his ability to stay composed under pressure and make clean exits has stood out in recent games.
At the AHL level, Kessel proved capable of more offensive production, posting 13 goals and 61 points across 151 games with Springfield. But his NHL identity appears to be settling into that of a reliable, stay-at-home defender — the kind every team needs to round out its lineup.
With the Blues short on right-shot defensemen throughout the organization, Kessel’s steady play could be earning him something invaluable: trust. If he continues to perform within his role, the former fifth-rounder may very well have found himself a home on the Blues’ third pair.